The Vice Chancellor, Averitas University, Abuja, Prof Mike Kwanashie, has outlined the many challenges trailing globalisation in a developing country like Nigeria, especially as it affects the manufacturing sector.
Kwanashie who was the guest speaker at the 34th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Rivers/Bayelsa branch in Port Harcourt last weekend, said globalisation is responsible for the high cost of funds arising from depreciation of the naira against major currencies, coupled with high lending rates and extreme difficulties in accessing credit for working capital .Manufacturers also experience scarcity of foreign exchange which is the result of poorly managed exchange policy, as government policies are at the order of global financial institutions which have perpetuated the current situation.
He noted that the challenge of multiple taxes and levies by the three tiers of government is also affecting the industry causing declining profitability.
The University don noted the need for manufacturing activities that have potential linkage with small and medium enterprises to be actively promoted by the federal and state governments.
The newly elected chairman of the branch Senator Adawari Pepple told newsmen that his administration will improve on the good works of the past leadership, saying that he would bring MAN closer to the people through sensitisation, especially in Bayelsa where much work needs to be done.
Pepple, noted that there are many benefits that manufacturers would have as members of MAN, adding “I plan to make Bayelsa appreciate that it is only through industry and manufacturing the economic situation will improve.
He said starch and flour are processed from cassava in the state, adding that in the next two months, packaged Ofingo soup would be exported outside the country, as arrangment has been concluded on that.
In her contribution, the Relationship Officer commercial banking division, Access Bank, Port Harcourt, Ijeoma Ozurumba said the bank was participating in the trade exhibition to meet and possibly partner with manufactures on the federal governments intervention funds given through the Bank of Industrey (BOI).
Ozurumba said, “Access Bank partners with BOI to help them access the Central Bank intervention loan”, adding that her bank also out loans to business men and women, but the loans are structured and tracked.
The representative of Mercury Engineering Construction Company Ltd, Mr Okoye Joels who said the company just joined MAN commended the state government for being manufacturers friendly in the area of infrastructural development, security and tax harmonization, adding that the company no longer suffers from double taxation as was the case previously.